Networking

Networking is an important skill in a tight job market. Many people who take a new position did not respond to an opening posted on the Internet and much of all hiring occurs through the hidden job market. The hidden job market includes all the jobs that are filled before they are posted anywhere. Networking helps you find those hidden jobs.

You already use networking techniques. Imagine you need a new sofa. You watch the ads, visit a few second hand stores, but no luck. At your grandma's birthday, you mention the sofa to your aunt. Next thing you know, you're picking up your aunt's neighbor's sofa.

Networking for your career works in the same way - you share information about your career aspirations with many people, and you follow up on any leads.

STEP ONE. IDENTIFY YOUR NETWORKS

1. Family - move beyond your folks and siblings - think of your uncle in Texas and your mom's cousin in North Platte.
2. Friends - consider people outside your immediate circle - a high school friend, your first college roommate, that person from your study group.
3. Your virtual friends - let those people on Facebook, MySpace, or other social networking groups know about your career search (after you ensure those accounts are properly prepared for your job search). Consider joining the professional social networking group, LinkedIn (then join "The Official University of Nebraska-Lincoln Alumni Association" LinkedIn group).
4. Your organizations - keep in mind professional groups like American Society of Civil Engineers or Phi Beta Lambda, non-career related groups like intramurals as well as fraternities/sororities/residence hall associations. Many have alumni that have volunteered to help others with their job search.
5. Your work - remember student jobs or volunteer experiences.
6. Career Services - access Husker Hire Link's "Career Network," a growing group of individuals interested in talking to UNL students about careers.
7. If you don't have many networks, then you need to get more involved. Volunteer in the community, join a civic organization and/or a professional association.

STEP TWO. CONTACT PEOPLE IN YOUR NETWORKS

1. Contact your networks to exchange information; you share information about your career goals and hopefully receive information about opportunities or insight into career field. It is not asking for a job or any special treatment.
2. Use your network to either generate referrals or identify people knowledgeable about your field. Your cousin may know a web designer (referral) or your neighbor may actually be a web designer (direct contact).
3. To generate referrals, ask your network "do you know someone who would know anything about__________?"
4. Contact people via email or phone. Using the phone can personalize the effort, but email can work as well.
5. Develop a short, specific phrase that describes your career interests. Contact the people suggested with a polite request, using your short phrase. Example: "I'm a college senior majoring in political science. I'm interested in community planning, primarily focused on environmental issues. My aunt, Carol Smith, thought you may be able to help me learn more about the planning area. Do you have some time to talk by phone, or could I ask you some questions by email?"
6. Ask for advice, ideas, leads, referrals, etc. Aim to leave every networking encounter with a concrete "next step" action plan or with the name of another contact person/resource for follow-up. You may want to conduct an "informational interview" to gain more in-depth information.
7. Have a resume prepared, but only provide it if asked to do so. Networking is not about distributing your resume. However, if they do ask for your resume, you may want to take the opportunity to ask them for feedback on your document.
8. Send a thank you to your contacts after visiting with them. This is not only a courtesy, it strengthens your relationship with that person.
9. Keep a record of your contacts and referrals. You may need to reference these notes in the future.
10. Follow up on any leads you receive by returning to "Step Two. Contact your Networks" and start over again.

Finally, let your contacts know when you have found something and thank them again for their assistance. Also, keep your door open, you may be in a position to help other people get their start!